Would you drive to save $500?

[Keishag]

If the numbers worked out exactly how I've calculated, with todays prices for flights, gas, etc., driving would only save us about $500. We are in the DFW, Texas area so it would be about a 20 hour drive. Would you do that with a 6 and 8 year old to save about $500? We're still in the very beginning planning stages and are staying offsite for the first time so figured why not try some other firsts?

I'm considering the plane tix which are $1215 right now for 4 of us and then the cost of a rental car that could range from $150 up to $300. It will cost about $560-600 in gas to drive, we'll have to buy a dvd player (about $100, just something cheap and easy) for the car (non negotiable for that drive with the kids) and I'm considering tolls and the possibility of having to stay overnight in a hotel, although that's not the plan right now.

If nothing else, we can rule out staying offsite, NOT having the DDP, and driving ever again if this trip is an epic failure. (Of course, I know we will still have a great time, I'm just being a little dramatic). Is there a set dollar amount that people kind of guage whether or not it would be worth the savings?

 

[Poohs Pal]

If I could save $500.00 that I could use while at disney you bet. I just don't see how you could really swing that though. $600.00 gas. With little kids I would stop for the night coming and going. For our last drive I picked up a twin screen RCA dvd player for under $100.00 at Target for my niece's twin girls it was a life saver. We were able to purchase a couple dvd's they had never seen before and they watched them over and over and over agin,lol. The only problem we had was one of the girls was afraid she would miss something and instead of falling asleep talked constantly to keep herself awake. It had the adults asking ARE WE THERE YET!!!!!!! Anyway if you know you could save that much then yes do it.

 

[sm4987]

When we lived in Arlington/Grand Prairie, we drove more often than not and made it there in great time (esp. when you learn the route)! I did it to save the money lol. I figured I could always spend it on something else when I got there.

I think it depends on if you think the $500 is worth it. Gas in DFW must be high if you're only going to save $500 I remember only spending $500 in gas for the whole trip and that was only three years ago.

Maybe with gas hopefully going down again you'll save more.

 

[realhousewife]

If you are sure that you are staying offsite rather than on Disney propety, then I say try the drive. You can avoid the hassle of flying/security/baggage fees and pack up your vehicle with lots of snacks, supplies, etc.

If you change your mind and decide to stay on Disney property, then I would say it is not worth it b/c you won't need a rental car and gas and parking and you could take advantage of extra magic hours.

Make sure you factor in parking fees at the parks in your calculations. I don't think they are too bad, but you'd better check it out.

Good luck!

 

[zurgswife]

I'd have to say no because my time is worth something and driving from Dallas is about 20 hrs minimum each way I would think. That's about saving $13.50 per hour. Not enough for me. Especially with 2 young kids when you could fly in just a couple of hours. Driving would have to have bigger savings for me to consider.

 

[Keishag]

Sm4987 - what is the best route that you're referring to and about how long did it take?

The cost of gas right now is about $3.70. I used AAA's gas estimator with my car and it estimated $560 but I rounded up a bit just to be sure.

We are booked for sure at grande vista. I couldn't promise if a super smokin deal came out we wouldn't cancel (losing my week with II) and stay onsite, but as of right now this plan is just seeming to make more financial sense. I keep telling myself we obviously aren't the "this is a once in a lifetime Disney trip" type (3rd trip in 2 years, were pretty hooked!) so if it's not ideal we"ll always hopefully have the next year to go back to flying and staying onsite.

 

[McKelly]

We are driving instead of flying. Flight would be $1200.00 for four of us as well, plus $100.00 to park at the airport, plus baggage fees ($120.00), plus a rental car because we are doing some non-Disney things this year ($200.00), so close to $1500.00. Driving, which I REALLY don't want to do, will be $520.00 for gasoline, two overnights in a hotel - $200.00, so $750.00 roughly. For a $750.00 I am going to suck it up and deal with driving. My kids don't mind it, I am the one who hates it, but I do like saving $750.00.

 

[a1tinkfans]

If the numbers worked out exactly how I've calculated, with todays prices for flights, gas, etc., driving would only save us about $500. We are in the DFW, Texas area so it would be about a 20 hour drive. Would you do that with a 6 and 8 year old to save about $500? We're still in the very beginning planning stages and are staying offsite for the first time so figured why not try some other firsts?

I'm considering the plane tix which are $1215 right now for 4 of us and then the cost of a rental car that could range from $150 up to $300. It will cost about $560-600 in gas to drive, we'll have to buy a dvd player (about $100, just something cheap and easy) for the car (non negotiable for that drive with the kids) and I'm considering tolls and the possibility of having to stay overnight in a hotel, although that's not the plan right now.

If nothing else, we can rule out staying offsite, NOT having the DDP, and driving ever again if this trip is an epic failure. (Of course, I know we will still have a great time, I'm just being a little dramatic). Is there a set dollar amount that people kind of guage whether or not it would be worth the savings?

$500 "savings" versus a 6, 8 year old, and TWENTY hours in a car ,
for me
a no brainer
FLY :t
Arrive quickly and Relaxed

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

It is why we drive in the summer. The extra savings goes towards winter airfare. We drove from PA last year with our twin 8 year olds. Straight there 19 hours. We stopped for the nighton our way home though. This winter we flew. Left house in a blizzard at 8 am arrived in Orlando about 5. Obviously extreme conditions, but still not the two hours we'll be there scenario.

I think it depends mostly on your kids, but adding a entail car would steer me (love puns) towards driving.

 

[sm4987]

Sm4987 - what is the best route that you're referring to and about how long did it take?

The cost of gas right now is about $3.70. I used AAA's gas estimator with my car and it estimated $560 but I rounded up a bit just to be sure.

We are booked for sure at grande vista. I couldn't promise if a super smokin deal came out we wouldn't cancel (losing my week with II) and stay onsite, but as of right now this plan is just seeming to make more financial sense. I keep telling myself we obviously aren't the "this is a once in a lifetime Disney trip" type (3rd trip in 2 years, were pretty hooked!) so if it's not ideal we"ll always hopefully have the next year to go back to flying and staying onsite.

Here is the route we would take. Long I know, but I would do it from google maps. My kids were young when we started driving to Florida, our first trip was in 2003. My daughter was 4 and my son was 7. We took plenty of books, and dvd players and things like that and lots of snacks. They were so excited that we didn't have much trouble out of them asking things. Anytime we drove we left at 3:30 in the morning and usually made it into Orlando between 8:00- 9:30 that night. The freeways in Florida leading towards Orlando can get crowded so if it was very crowded it would make our trip longer.

We have done it both way, flown and driven. My kids are now 15 and 12 and guess what. We are going to Orlando from here in Colorado this summer (we are doing all Universal and Sea World though this time) and we are driving for the second time. They have gotten used to the road trips. We laugh, talk, sing and all kinds of things. Honestly they prefer to drive. Says it gives us great family time.


Directions to Orlando, FL
1,081 mi – about 18 hours 8 mins

Dallas, TX‎

1.
Head northeast on Sycamore St toward N Collett Ave
go 148 ft
total 148 ft

2.
Take the 1st right onto N Collett Ave
About 3 mins
go 0.7 mi
total 0.8 mi

3.
Slight right onto S Munger Blvd
About 2 mins
go 0.5 mi
total 1.2 mi

4.
Slight left onto E R L Thornton Ac Rd S/E R L Thornton Fwy
go 292 ft
total 1.3 mi

5.
Take the ramp on the left onto I-30 E
About 5 mins
go 4.2 mi
total 5.5 mi

6.
Slight right onto US-80 E (signs for Terrell/Big Town Blvd)
About 21 mins
go 19.1 mi
total 24.6 mi

7.
Continue onto TX-557 Spur E
About 5 mins
go 4.5 mi
total 29.1 mi

8.
Merge onto I-20 E
Passing through Louisiana
Entering Mississippi
About 5 hours 59 mins
go 372 mi
total 401 mi

9.
Take exit 47A to merge onto US-49 S toward Hattiesburg
About 1 hour 34 mins
go 83.1 mi
total 484 mi

10.
Merge onto I-59 S via the ramp to New Orleans/Gulf Coast
About 8 mins
go 8.2 mi
total 492 mi

11.
Take exit 59 to merge onto US-98 E toward Lucedale/Mobile
Entering Alabama
About 1 hour 48 mins
go 91.2 mi
total 583 mi

12.
Turn right onto N Broad St
About 1 min
go 0.3 mi
total 584 mi

13.
Turn left onto Government St
About 3 mins
go 1.4 mi
total 585 mi

14.
Turn right onto AL-16 E/AL-42 E/US-90 E/US-98 E/Old Spanish Trail
Continue to follow AL-16 E/AL-42 E/US-90 E/US-98 E
About 3 mins
go 2.7 mi
total 588 mi

15.
Slight right to merge onto I-10 E
Entering Florida
About 5 hours 18 mins
go 332 mi
total 919 mi

16.
Take exit 296A to merge onto I-75 S toward Tampa
About 1 hour 43 mins
go 108 mi
total 1,027 mi

17.
Slight left onto FL-91 S (signs for Orlando/Turnpike S)
Partial toll road
About 40 mins
go 42.2 mi
total 1,069 mi

18.
Take exit 265 to merge onto FL-408 E toward Orlando/Titusville
Toll road
About 10 mins
go 10.3 mi
total 1,080 mi

19.
Take exit 10C toward FL-527/Orange Ave/Downtown
Toll road
go 0.2 mi
total 1,080 mi

20.
Merge onto S Lucerne Cir E
go 0.1 mi
total 1,080 mi

21.
Turn right onto S Orange Ave
go 253 ft
total 1,080 mi

22.
Slight right onto FL-527 N
go 0.2 mi
total 1,080 mi

23.
Take the 1st left onto E Anderson St
About 2 mins
go 0.3 mi
total 1,081 mi

24.
Turn right onto Boone Ave
go 0.1 mi
total 1,081 mi

25.
Take the 1st right onto W South St
go 299 ft
total 1,081 mi
Show: Text only | Map | S

 

[keishashadow]

$500 "savings" versus a 6, 8 year old, and TWENTY hours in a car ,
for me
a no brainer
FLY :t
Arrive quickly and Relaxed

i'm with you, sanity is priceless

OP don't forget to factor in mileage/wear & tear on vehicle, especially if leased or you're close to trading it in

 

[kidd_freeper]

$500 is a lot of money.

I would drive:
- flying is a hassle in itself: security pat-downs, delays, etc
- when you drive, you don't have luggage limitations and there are no baggage fees
- when you drive, the vacation begins when you leave your driveway

= = = =

I see that you are in the early stages of planning AND that you have school age kids. Please research the Disney YES program. You could save many hundreds of dollars on park admissions AND have a unique experience for your kids.

Search this forum (the Disboards) - lots of good information. I highly recomend it.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Let me see you want to spend 4 days of your vacation inside your vehicle in order to save $500! Plus think of the wear and tear you are putting on your vehicle. What if you get stuck in a traffic jam or your car breaks down.
I say fly.
Rental car prices for a mid size are insanely cheap right now. I am get a mid size car for $84 for 8 day trip next week. Be sure to sign up for the Alamo Insider program to get the best deal. The program is free! The closer to your trip the cheaper the car rentals become. Southwest Airlines has so good fares and you don't have to pay luggage fee's.

Think you will gain 4 extra days at Disney by flying.

 

[Brian Noble]

driving would only save us about $500. We are in the DFW, Texas area so it would be about a 20 hour drive.

No. For me, the 20 hour drive would be two full days of driving, each way. My time is worth way more than that.

 

[dawnball]

We calculated once that driving costs us about 50 cents per mile, and the IRS mileage rate for 2011 is 51 cents per mile. That covers wear and tear, depreciation, maintenance, gas, etc.

That estimate puts your car cost at $1100. Plus $100 for the dvd player and a couple hundred for hotels/incidentals. $1400.

Airfare plus a rental car $1300-$1500. I'd call it a wash. If you want to drive, drive. If you want to fly, fly.

Remember that if you need to take extra vacation days from work in order to drive, you'll need to account for that cost in your calculations.

 

[C&G'sMama]

We are die hard drivers (1,250 miles each way) for a bunch of reasons including we love the drive. We love the family time. We take 2 nights each way, stay in hotels and it's part of our vacation.

That being said, if you love to drive, drive. If the $500 savings is huge to you, drive. If you can afford the extra time, drive.
If you don't love to drive, don't have the time, the $500 is no big deal to you and you like flying (I don't for a bunch of reasons including I think it's a big hassle and not worth the money) then fly.

 

[Goofygirl17]

We usually fly down but last summer DDs and I drove down for the first time. It was a last minute trip and there is no way we would have paid the crazy airfare prices. We made the trip in 3 days (21 hours total, we live in CT) by stopping at a friend's house in MD, then stopping in GA for the night and then Disney. On the way home we stopped at a friend of a friend's condo in Myrtle Beach, went swimming the next day and then started home again, stopped in Delaware for the night and then home. We had a great time! I think it worked for us because we were staying longer and we loved having our own car. Plus we could take whatever we wanted with us.

Next summer we might drive again for a two week trip and DH will come too.

Good luck deciding!

 

[DSLRuser]

yes. Now that both kids require full fledged air fare, its works out to be $500 difference between driving and flying from st. louis. 1,008 miles.

we drive straight through both ways, and when we arrive, the car gets parked for the week. I love disney transportation.

 

[brenda1966]

No. For me, the 20 hour drive would be two full days of driving, each way. My time is worth way more than that.

here, here! Yes, remember it's not 20 hours of driving, it's 40 hours of driving! And I think that each leg should be spread over 2 days, especially with kids. So, that's 4 travel days, possibly 2 extra hotel nights. For $500 savings? (Which is no longer $500 savings when hotels are added in). I don't think so. My time is more valuable than that.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You can use this site to get real time fuel cost. Just plug in your address and Lake Buena Vista for your ending address your vehicle info. You will get the actual cost of fuel based upon that days fuel prices.


http://www.gasbuddy.com/Trip_Calculator.aspx